Results of NurOwn™ Clinical Trial Suggest Efficacy in ALS Patients

NEW YORK, NY and PETACH TIKVAH, ISRAEL--(Marketwire - Mar 21, 2013) - BrainStorm Cell Therapeutics (OTCQB: BCLI), a leading developer of adult stem cell technologies for neurodegenerative diseases, today reported some of the final results from a clinical study evaluating the company's NurOwn™ technology in 12 ALS patients. NurOwn is a proprietary, first-of-its-kind technology for the propagation and differentiation of autologous Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSCs) into NeuroTrophic Factor (NTF)-secreting cells. The data were presented yesterday, Wednesday, March 20, 2013 during the 65th Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Neurology (AAN) in San Diego, California.

An oral and poster presentation were made in the Emerging Science Session by Principal Investigator Dimitrios Karussis, M.D., Ph.D., entitled, "Analysis of 12 Patients with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) Treated with Autologous Differentiated Mesenchymal Stem Cells: a Phase I/II Clinical Trial." Karussis reported a significantly slower decline in overall clinical and respiratory function, as measured by the ALS Functional Rating Score (ALSFRS-R) and Forced Vital Capacity (FVC) score respectively, in the six patients that received an intrathecal (IT) injection of the cells in the six months following treatment, as compared to the three months preceding treatment. The study concluded that in addition to establishing the safety of the treatment protocol, initial indications of clinical benefit were observed, which require further confirmation in additional trials. The company is currently conducting a Phase IIa dose-escalating trial pursuant to recent acceleration by the Israeli Ministry of Health.

"These encouraging results confirm the importance and therapeutic potential of NurOwn as a breakthrough treatment for patients with ALS," said Prof. Karussis, Head of the Neuroimmunology Laboratory, Department of Neurology, Hadassah Medical Center, Jerusalem. "Additionally, beyond its benefit in treating patients with ALS, NurOwn may have utility in the treatment of other severe neurodegenerative and neuroimmunological conditions including multiple sclerosis and Parkinson's disease."

"We are excited by these data and the potential of NurOwn to positively impact the lives of patients with ALS," said Alon Natanson, Chief Executive Officer of BrainStorm. "We look forward to continuing to advance this potentially important therapy. To that end, we have begun a Phase IIa dose-escalating trial at Hadassah and plan to launch a multi-center Phase II trial in the USA later this year in order to further validate the results that were presented today."

About NurOwn™NurOwn is an autologous, adult stem cell therapy technology that differentiates bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) into specialized, neuron-supporting cells. These neuron-supporting cells (known as "MSC-NTF" cells) secrete neurotrophic, or nerve-growth, factors for PROTECTION of existing motor neurons, PROMOTION of motor neuron growth, and RE-ESTABLISHMENT of nerve-muscle interaction. The ability to differentiate mesenchymal stem cells into MSC-NTF cells, and confirmation of their activity and potency before transplantation, makes NurOwn a first-of-its-kind approach for treating neurodegenerative diseases. More information about NurOwn™ can be found at http://brainstorm-cell.com/index.php/science-a-technology/-nurown.

About ALSOne of the most common neuromuscular diseases worldwide, Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), sometimes called Lou Gehrig's disease, is a rapidly progressive, invariably fatal neurological disease that attacks the nerve cells responsible for controlling voluntary muscles. As many as 30,000 people in the United States have ALS and an estimated 5,000 Americans are newly diagnosed each year. The disease belongs to a group of disorders known as motor neuron diseases, which are characterized by the gradual degeneration and death of motor neurons. There is currently no cure available for ALS.

About BrainStorm Cell Therapeutics, Inc.BrainStorm Cell Therapeutics Inc. is a biotechnology company engaged in the development of first-of-its-kind adult stem cell therapies derived from autologous bone marrow cells for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. The Company holds the rights to develop and commercialize its NurOwn technology through an exclusive, worldwide licensing agreement with Ramot, the technology transfer company of Tel Aviv University. For more information, visit the company's website at www.brainstorm-cell.com.

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